Why I Interview Runner Friends

No one has really asked me why, but I am glad to know that there are plenty of friends out there who enjoy reading my 'runner profile interviews' as much as I enjoy throwing questions at my interviewees.


How did it all begin?

Years ago when I was still living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I was approached by a friend for a runner profile on me. I was so surprised and taken aback as I was fairly new to the running community. Me, a runner profile??

I wasn't sure what to do or how it was done so I read up on all the runner profiles he had on his blog before I felt confident enough to tackle his questions for me. After that, I bragged to my friends and colleagues about being 'interviewed'! :D

(You can read my runner profile here. It probably needs updating!)

Back then, I was still a newbie and excited about running (nothing more than half marathons) and Dutamas Runners, the running group I was with. As I got to meet more runners from various events, I began to realise how inspiring each individual runner can be.

I started with a few friends within the DR group like Andrew, Raymond, Michelle, Melvin, Paul, Wai Loon, Kenny, etc. During a Blog with Brooks competition, I used the same approach with a few friends like Khoo Yit Kiat and Jamie Pang. 

How does reading runner profiles inspire others?

Everyone worships the elites of of any sport. To name a few  from trail running and running alone, there's Kilian Jornet, Emelie Forsberg, Anna Frost, Mo Farah, Usain Bolt. We read about them, their stories and achievements and we are in awe. We get inspired.

Yet we are also in awe of the people surrounding us - some run faster and better than us, some have sheer determination and will power to get out there to do what the enjoy the most, and not bothered about finishing last, some are born natural runners and some still struggle to improve themselves after years of running.

Everyone has a story to share, and the guy or girl next door can inspire and motivate you without you (or them) realising it. I strongly believe that these friends are equally as inspiring as the elites out there, if not more interesting. :)

Brooks Run Happy Profile: Khoo Yit Kiat

Khoo Yit Kiat (KYK) is known as the 'Kenyalang' or 'Kenyan Kuning' within the KL running community. He is THAT famous!

I didn't know he was that famous until I joined his running group and every runner on the street would greet him along the way. ;)

Previously, Jamie did a mini interview on him (here) and I thought since it's been a while now, we'd better catch KYK for a quick update!

[I am also taking this opportunity to label this as a Dutamas Runners' Interview!]

1. You have been lying low for a while now and the last we saw you was running the half marathon at the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2012. What’s up?

I can’t even remember what races I’ve done. I’ve been so busy at work plus getting married this year (well, we just had our wedding reception!). Anyways, my niggling left foot injury can’t seem to heal as well as I thought.

I'm putting on weight (I guess no one would believe me in this, but I have put on almost 7kg!). That’s explain why I cannot rush back into speed in my training, which I was able to do last time.

(photo credit to Lim Soon Chung)

2. You’ve been running since your high school heydays. Do you think you will ever get tired of running, and maybe venture into something else?

I don’t know. But I’ve seen my running friends still doing well over 50 years of age and I guess I will try to emulate them. Although it’s embarrassing to get beaten by a 50-year-old at times but it’s something we should look into as to why they can still perform well at that age.

Especially when you talk to the younger generation who keep giving excuses, “Oh, I'm too old too run”. I hope I can still run as long as I can.

It will be a privilege to do so, don’t you think?

3. What’s your favourite race distance – 5km, 10km, 21km or the full marathon at 42.195km, and why? 

I started my running days racing the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m and I’ve always love the speed endurance race. As I aged, a 10km-21km race seems to be the preference. But once in a while, I still love to test myself in the shorter distances. Speed thrills!

I still have not mastered the marathon race as well as I want. Hopefully I will get to train for another one soon, as it does take a proper program to take you through the distance in a respectful time.

4. What’s your favourite pre-race and post-race food? 

I eat as I please. No special pre or post race diet. I used to try out eating “Chu yok chap + fan” which means “mixed pork + rice”. I thought it worked well. Anyways, the only advice I have is don’t try anything out of the ordinary on pre-race day.

5. You’re the Captain of the Dutamas Runners group, which seem to have a passion for food. If you woke up one day to find that the Dutamas Runners have renamed themselves to Dutamas Eaters, what would you do: 

a. Tearfully leave the group and never look back; 
b. Delete the group and recreate a new one, guns ablazing; or 
c. Happily participate in the next nasi lemak and bah kut the gathering. 

Haha. I’ll choose d. None of the above!  

Hey you are crazy asking your captain this sort of question! You know it’s hard to keep the Dutamas Runners to focus on their running when each conversation seems to lead to food. Well, I am a culprit myself sending photos of food over whatsapp. 

Anyway, I hope I can find time to really focus on the group since there are many who are looking to improve on their running, and I hope I can pass on my knowledge and experience to those who need it. 

6. You own one or two pairs of Brooks shoes. What models are they and what’s your take on them? Have they served you well? 

2? I actually have 3! My first Brooks model was the Racer ST 3. It was one of those shoes that I was looking for, lightweight and a little bit of cushioning. I actually did my marathon personal best (PB) in the 2009 Melbourne Marathon. 

Since then I had Brooks Ghost 2 as a training shoe and the latest I bought was Brooks Racer ST 5. I did my 2012 Boston Marathon in that shoe. However, it was one of those race where I was ill-prepared. I did my personal worst timing of 4:30. I can’t blame the shoe, as I was just too busy at work, left foot injury still bothering me and also finding the motivation to train after a long injury lay-off is hard. 

But I am looking forward to be back on the road soon! 

7. Any wise words for the newbie runners out there? 

I don’t think this page will be enough. Anyways, the way I see it is that these days, newbies tend to run the distance too far too soon. You need time to get your legs accustomed to running on hard surface (as you hardly get to run on softer ground in KL, unlike in overseas). Also newbies tend to get influenced by their friends in doing longer distance that they are unprepared for. Preparation is the key in distance running plus consistency in training. 

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading his interview as much as I had fun (especially with question 5) coming up with the questions for him. Hehehe!

Run Happy with Brooks!

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 Other profiles:

Jamie Pang
Me!
Steph
Ooi Wei Min

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 http://brooksmalaysia.com

Brooks Run Happy Profile: Ooi Wei Min

I first met Wei Min at the Bareno 2011 event where we were waiting for our friends at the finish line, cheering the runners as they passed us by.

But the one thing which I will remember vividly is when I passed him by during the PJ Half Marathon 2011, I heard him singing his heart out to a Chinese song!

~

1. How long have you been running?

Started running in the gym around October 2008 to prepare  for 5km Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2009. Started running seriously since September 15, 2009 till now.

2. Do you remember how many events you have taken part since then?

Can't really recall, but maybe around 30-40 races.

3. You recently completed the 25km The Most Beautiful Thing (TMBT) on 15th September 2012. Yay! How was it?

TMBT is not an easy race, the route is basically uphill or downhill, seldom do we encounter flat routes. The running was torturous especially after the 2^nd water station. It was all the way down with pebbled rocks, stones and mud. Furthermore, we began to feel hot. It made Dragon Back or the Newton route (Amah Hill) route look like child’s play. They do not have water station every 3km, don’t have medical personal spraying anti cramp every 3km. In fact, we were even warned during pre-race briefing that if we encounter cramp or blister, we will have to deal with it. 

Even so, it still gave me a great running experience. The weather was cooling and the view is just simply superb. There are no words that can be used to describe what I have seen. You have to be there to understand what I mean. The race really brings the best out of runners. During the race, I almost cramped 3 times. But every time, there are runners who'd automatically offer their anti-cramp gels. Even runners with cramping issues who were resting by the side of the road voluntarily offered me their gel. I really thank them. 

The locals were out cheering for us. I had a lot of fun throughout the race. I remember seeing a kid waving at us with split index and middle fingers around 3-5km before hitting finishing line. It somehow reminded me of Star Trek. So, i took my Experia Ray horizontally and show it to them saying: "I come in peace, I come in peace".  

The organizers somehow managed to make the runners feel honoured and proud of themselves for completing the race. Even though the race was over for more than 1 week, I can still remember the race as if it just happen yesterday. It is indeed a wonderful race.   

  

4. I noticed that you were wearing the Brooks Cascadia during the event. Did they treat you well?

To be honest, this is my first pair of trail shoes.  I don’t really know how to compare as there is nothing for me to compare against it. But I do feel that this shoe does give me a better grip compared to normal running shoes whether during the Orang Asli Trail Run, Nuang and FRIM training or TMBT. 

I bought the shoe since February this year and I've put a lot of mileage into these shoes especially while training for TMBT. It still looks good. I will be using it for coming Salomon X-Trail Run. 

5. OK, how many pairs of running shoes do you own? Did you choose them based on brand names, feel, colour, price, etc? 

As a runner, I believe in good quality shoes instead of the name (brand) because good quality shoes will help prevent injury. Injury for runners means no fun. For me feel/comfortable comes first, lasting (durability) second. Of course price also plays a role, but as long as the shoes are proven to be worth it, I don’t mind spending the money. Colour does play a role, but a minor one. 

Maybe because of wrong running posture, I went through a painful journey of shoe selection last year. I tried different brand of shoes but they either lasted less than 3 months or end up hurting my legs more. It burned a big hole in my wallet. I had no choice but to live with the situation. 

The situation continued until early this year, when Brooks did a clearance promotion. Under Manson Chew‘s (Brooks salesperson) personal assurance, I bought Trance 9 with doubts. To my surprise, it last for more than 6 months, outlasting another brand. Since then, I mainly use Brooks shoes. I currently have 4 pairs of shoes of which 3 of them are Brooks (2 running shoes, 1 trail shoes). 

6. What's the one event that you are looking forward to for 2012? Tell us how you're preparing for it.

Powerman 2012, as this is my first run cycle biathlon event. I am currently training with some of Lyn Runners. We will be doing the first simulation in Putrajaya on Saturday.

All the best for that, Wei Min!

And see you in the upcoming races. ;)

 Other profiles:

Jamie Pang
Me!
Steph

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Don't forget, just 3 days left (including 30th September!) to the GO GREEN CAMPAIGN - get a new pair of Brooks shoes with a RM150 rebate from trading in your old pair of shoes, any shoes!

for more info: http://brooksmalaysia.com.

Brooks Run Happy Profile: Steph Chin

Brooks Run Happy Profiles is a short series of mini interviews of people who run with Brooks.


Meet my friend, Steph!

Steph is a bubbly girl who enjoys the outdoors from a little jog in the park to swimming with the fishes in the ocean. She believes in keeping fit and having a balanced lifestyle - all work and no play will is just oh so boring!

1. do you enjoy jogging/running?

of course! it's a great way to relief stress and keep the doctors away. and sometimes, just like most golfers do, i tend to get inspiration and fresh ideas in the midst of running too.

(And when are you joining the Dutamas Runners for a run again? ;D)

 

2. what was your favourite event and why.

you mean running right? :) 

ermm I think it has to be the Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon 2010 where i participated in the 10km women open category. it was the most well organized and detailed running event ever! running the 10km felt like a breeze, not to mention the colourful pom pom girls kept me distracted as they were running together with the crowd.

3. is it easier to work out the body and sweat it our to watch what you eat?

i think there is no easier way and it should be a combination of both. i love my food (I'm malaysian!) and it's hard to give it up; I love the feeling after a good workout but the challenge has always been the motivating factor. Especially after a tiring day at work all I can think of is my bed instead of putting on my running shoes!

4. so show us what's your current pair of Brooks shoes. tell us what you think?

I have a pair of Brooks Ariel as I've been blessed with flat feet and bunions. It gives better stability and comfort, my pasts trainers could never last more than 2 years due to my protruding bunions, just imagine. Although Brooks Ariel is considerably heavier in weight, sprinting never felt easier :)

5. if you could organise a running event, what and how would it be?

err never thought of it haha but if i had to organize one, i would pick somewhere exotic like an island or a safari of sort :)

(Great idea!)

You can follow her blog right here.
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Other BRH Profiles:

Jamie Pang
myself!

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Don't forget! The Go Green Campaign ends this 30 September 2012!
If you haven't traded in your old shoes for the RM150 rebate for a new pair, you'd better hurry!

*Applicable for purchase of the Pure Project collection, Glycerin 10, Ghost 5, Ravenna 3, GTS12, Trance 11, Cascadia 7.

http://brooksmalaysia.com

Brooks Run Happy Profile: Me!

Hey hey, I thought I'd interview myself. Just in case you've never read enough about me. ;)

1. I have only been running for about 3.5 years. I started running because I wanted to lose weight, and get fit.

I think I lost 5kgs and I have managed to maintain my weight since then. I'm not telling you about the extra weight I lost during my wedding preparation, etc because I have gained some of it back! Boo~


2. I am grateful to have the hubby as a running buddy because by the time we return home from work, it's rather late and despite that fact, we'd force ourselves to go for a run just to be sure we maintained our weight and fitness.

Also, if we're training for a run/event, we know that the mileage counts towards training.


3. I am more or less happy with where I am right now, feeling fitter than I was years ago. Of course, I wish I was a faster runner but I know that comes with a price - commitment, dedication and sacrifice.

I miss sleeping in during the weekends. I spend most of them (weekends) struggling to get out of bed early just to clock in a run. I'd toss and turn and put my alarm on snooze repeatedly, and I'd ponder, "Should I or should I not?"

90% of the time I'd tell myself, "Don't Think, Just Run!" - the Dutamas Runners' motto.

I know it's cliche but hey, it works!

Basically I tell myself to shut it and don't ask myself questions, just get out and be done with it!

4. I started wearing Brooks since the 3rd quarter of 2010, if I'm not mistaken. Oh well, I can't remember. Basically the Adrenaline GTS 11 is my 2nd pair from Brooks.


5. The GTS 11 is my choice for important runs/events but to be honest, it's my only pair for road runs! I do have a pair of New Balance racers but it hasn't seen much action of late.

At the Segambut Charity Run 2011, a few of us participated for the fun of it, finding ourselves in the middle of attention.

Three of us from the group went home with Top 10 prizes and it was really cool.

Although it was just a 3.6km race, but we did our best anyway.

I was approached by a girl who claimed to be a reporter from somewhere and she interviewed both KYK and I in Mandarin. To this very date, we don't know where that 'interview' was published!

Or maybe it wasn't. ;)

The River Jungle Marathon 2011 was also a memorable race for both the hubby and I. It was our first marathon distance and man, it was tough.

Race report for The River Jungle Marathon 2011 can be found here.

That was our warm up run for our main marathon in December last year: the Fubon Taipei Marathon.

Initially we wanted to participate in the Putrajaya Night Run Marathon but so happened that there was none held last year!

 

Hubby and I did a 5km customisation run in Taipei, a few days before the Fubon Taipei Marathon 2011.

The run was a very painful one for me, as my cramps started as early at 20km. It was really frustrating and I felt defeated. I struggled with a walk/jog/walk/run concept and well, I managed to cross the finish line before its cut-off time - 4:57!

Nothing to shout about, I know, but hey, at least I managed to finish it! =)

I have NO pain at all from my pair of Brooks. It's comfortable enough for whatever distance run. NO blisters either!

6. I wouldn't mind getting the Adrenaline GTS 12 this year, but the colours are kinda ... strong for me. 

But hey, if you're considering swapping your old shoes or sandals for Brooks' Go Green RM150 Rebate voucher, you'll be saving some money of your new pair.

The current pair of GTS 12 is retailed at RM459. So with the RM150 rebate voucher, you pay only RM309. It's a good deal, if you ask me!!

http://brooksmalaysia.com

Up to 30th September, so hurry!!


Check out the amount of old shoes left at Brooks, The Curve!

Come on, let's Go Green and Run Happy!

Brooks Run Happy Profile: Jamie Pang

Who doesn't know Jamie Pang a.k.a Carboman?

I first heard a friend mention his name years ago, as my friend had just started running. Yearssss ago definitely seems like ages ago!

Jamie is one of the well known icons in our running community and I am extremely pleased that he has agreed to be my first BRH profile.

1. OK, spill the beans! Where do you get ALL that energy from ? Your time and commitment to your family, your work, your running, hobbies ... 

[JP] Sometimes I wonder myself but I think it has more to do with prioritization than anything else. If you know me, my life is extremely boring. Weekdays are Work-Run-Home/Family. Weekends are the same except the work part. I don't have Astro and don't plan to have it. Ever. I rarely watch TV by necessity and it's hard since I'm a movie fan. But weekdays are already so packed. By the time I get home (blasted KL traffic!) it's already 9:15pm. Finishing dinner and washing up will move the clock to 10pm. Then it's spending a bit of time with the kids on their reading/homework before I finish off with catching up on my emails and online stuff. Bedtime is midnight.

Weekends are for long runs (20Ks and above which I start between 5am to 5:30am, so that when I get home, the household would just begin to come to) and are spent mostly with the family and doing part of the weekly grocery shopping. Since we've no maid, I've outsourced the workshirt ironing to a laundry shop. I still do the pants myself as with my kids' uniforms. My wife bears a large burden of ensuring the kids complete their homework. We share the driver duty ferrying the 2 to their tuition and activities. In terms of the running of the household we're eternally grateful for the home general, my Mom, for taking on so many things that it's ridiculous to list them all here.

It's really challenging to put everything together - more of time challenge than energy really. I wish I can say that I sympathize with people who complain about missing their workouts or not being able to wake up early the next morning when the next FB update from them is about going for movies (I go to the theaters only 4 times a year), mamak hangouts and so on. We only have limited hours a day and it's about knowing what you want and removing the rest for another time. I leave my TV time for the weekend. For me, that essential part of my life is running. Work and family are inevitable and since you can never finish work and unless there's a pressing deliverable, I'm out of the office nearly on time for my evening runs.

Another fortunate thing is that the park is just behind my office, so I save some time there from having to drive somewhere. Due to schedule and time pressure, I do my long runs closer to home which means I don't have to drive 30K each way to the Lake Gardens unless on weekends when I've got bored with my regular route. It's all pretty much commando for me, if you know what I mean. I don't particularly watch what I eat, but lately I've started taking more green foods like wheat and barley grass, and chrollela. I try to limit rice and bread and I eat plenty of vegetables. I love coffee, so that part is incorrigible. Supplements are fish oil, calcium-magnesium, and the occasional iron (when fatigue sets in). Race month will have me taking cordyceps tablets.

YT: I am soooooo exhausted just listening to your busy schedule!

An epic picture of Jamie from The River Jungle Marathon 2011.

2. How often do you run in a week?

[JP] I workout 6 days a week. Not everyday is intense of course. I'm finally following a regimented program called FIRST so there are 3 critical workouts a week, with 2-3 days of cross training. Mondays are core work (but I warm up by doing very short easy runs), Tuesdays are intervals, Wednesdays are easy runs/recovery days which I use to run with my colleagues, Thursdays are tempos, Fridays are 40-minutes of spinning at home, Saturdays are real rest and to take care of home affairs and Sundays are the long ones. The 3 crucial workouts are must-dos while due to schedule disruptions, I occasionally switch the cross-training days around. I'm so active now that even when I eventually leave the workforce next time, I won't be using the term retiree. "Retiree" sounds like you're resigned to your declining years! I'd probably be scouring the streets for photography opportunities, and training for or organizing races.

3. If you're not running, you can be found ...

[JP] ...dreaming about running. You can say that I'm the perennial underachiever. I put so much passion into running yet I've yet to yield my goals.

4. Your blog is one of the most informative ones which we can find on the Internet which talks about running gear/products, events, photography, etc. How did you become a blogger?

[JP] I started blogging in 2003 to document the arrival of Carbokid 1. At that time, there's no such term called blogging and it was all HTML. Got my own domain then too. Other than writing about the pregnancy, the kid's arrival, I started documenting my preps for my first marathon and things got along from there. 2 years later I migrated my site to Blogger (both sites were called The Adventures of Carboman) before moving back to a self named domain using Wordpress. You can therefore say that I started blogging as a form of diary. 

5. Name your favourite pre-run and post-run food.

No fave pre-run food. I usually don't eat the morning of a training run unless it's a really long one like a 30K and beyond. The logic is that I'll still have the glycogen and fat stores from last night's dinner. In the case of the 30Ks, I'd chug down a half bottle of pre-soaked chia seed with honey. Post long runs, I'd eat anything but as the day progresses I won't say no to a nice milkshake or ice-cream treat. 

Jamie and his Run Happy shoes. 

6. You own a few pairs of Brooks shoes. Which is your favourite pair and why?

[JP] My experience with Brooks go way back to school days although I don't own one that time. It was a friend's pair - can't remember the model although I remember it was a black and grey one. Awesome shoe of those days and HydroFlow was so innovative then.

My first Brooks was the Glycerin 2 which I liked more for the colours than comfort - too firm. At that time their midsoles were still made of Substance 257 and not MoGo or BioMoGo. (hey since I know so much of Brooks, why am I not part of the blogging team??! ;p ) Between the Glycerin and quite a few years later, my friends discovered the Beast and ST Racer which they loved.

My reacquaintance with the brand was with the Pure Connect, a review pair courtesy of Brooks Malaysia, which I wore for the 2011 PJ Half Marathon. It was a sweet shoe but I was to find that it was a little too constrictive and I wasn't able to wear it beyond 21K.

The next pair was the Cascadia 4 which I wore for TNF 50K. It was quite a natural choice as the market for trail shoes were limited then. It's still very much in excellent condition after 2 years in service, and it goes to show that I don't have the opportunity to run in the trails as much as I'd like to. Then I got the Pure Flow as a shoe for rotation (I wear many shoes from various brands throughout the week's training). It has better protection than the Connect and is a viable backup shoe for my longer runs or recovery days.

YT: Coincidentally, just how many pairs of shoes do you own?? Wait, I don't think I want to know...

7. Any wise words for newbies who want to pick up running?

[JP] Wow this is tough … “We find inspiration in many places and often in many exploits of fellow runners but when striving to become a better or lifelong runner, we should set our own standards. Find your own motivation and stay with it.” 

Don’t think that sounded wise.

How about, “It is like a finger pointing at the moon. Don’t concentrate on the finger or you’ll miss all the heavenly glory. – Bruce Lee”? 

Thanks for your time, Jamie!

For more about Jamie, follow his blog at http://www.jamiepang.com/blog.

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 Don't forget to swap your old shoes for RM150 rebate voucher!

Brooks Run Happy Profiles

Brooks aims to keep things simple yet maintain a spirited and celebratory atmosphere, ensuring that its users have fun ALL the time while on the road.

Hence the tagline.

It's pretty cool that some of my non-running friends have heard of Brooks and know that this brand has been established for a while. I heard of Brooks about 10 years ago but had never bought anything from them until 2 years back.

At that time, I thought their prices were rather steep.

Hey, I was still studying, you know! 

I'll be starting a short series of posts featuring some Run Happy Runners whom I know own a pair (or three) Brooks shoes. Perhaps you and your friends will be convinced that by choosing Brooks shoes as your vehicle towards a good run, you will go out and nab yourself a pair ASAP.

Who knows. ;)

Stay tuned, folks!